Savai'i Village Resorts Ltd. has sealed a deal with the village of Sasina for the construction of a multi-million resort in the village.

The lease agreement signed on July 8th at the Maota o Samoa Hall, Vaitele, will see 600 acres of land leased to the company, for 120 years.

The agreement was signed by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Faumuina Liuga Tiatia and the company's representative, Jesse James.

Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Lupesoli'ai Sa'lele Malielegaoi was also present. Leasi Vainu'upo Nu'usa, a representative of the village, said the project was a positive development for Sasina.

Jesse James, Chief Executive officer of Savai'i Village Resorts Ltd, said it has always been "our dream to build a resort in Savai'i. "We must function as a three-legged stool, he said. "One leg is represented by the Government, one leg is represented by the villages and the people and the third leg is represented by our company. If all three legs do not work together equally, the stool will fall over."

Yesterday (July 8th), he said was "truly an exciting day, the beginning of a journey that will result in a new economy for Samoa, increased prosperity for the people of Samoa and financial success for our company." He said the only way to realize the goals of the project is to work as a team to accomplish their future objectives."If we simply sign the lease, and make the payments but fail to bring the other important pieces of the development puzzle together, then our celebration will be short-lived."Creating a win-win situation for all, Mr James said, "We will need to move forward, arm-in-arm, and hand-in-hand, as a team, in the spirit of friendship and harmony and for the good of Samoa.

"We must begin today, not tomorrow if we are going to attract quality hotel and timeshare partners to Savai'i," he said.

Savai'i Village Resorts Ltd is operating under the South Pacific Development Group, based in Hawai'i.

Samoa Enjoys Growth Surge!

The independent Pacific island nation of Samoa is enjoying another surge of growth as international investors demonstrate their confidence in the vast potential of this beautiful, politically stable country.

With its vision and foresight, the Government of Samoa has attracted substantial investment from its Asia-Pacific neighbors, including China and Japan. The capital, Apia, on the island of Upolu, is the showcase for a number of these recent outstanding developments, such as the spectacular new Ministry of Justice Courthouse.

Adding to this influx of investment, the South Pacific Development Group's planned 5-Star Sasina Resort on the neighboring island of Savaii will include a luxury hotel and timeshares, a championship golf course, a cultural centre and a world class marina providing the catalyst for further controlled, sustainable development in Samoa.